Mar. 6 | The ‘DC’ in DC Comics stands for ‘Detective Comics’, but they might as well stand for ‘Darker Comics’? On both big and small screens in recent years, their characters are consistently darker than Marvel’s, and...

Dec. 19 |
Question: When I see inconsiderate drivers parking at lots reserved for the handicapped, I consider reporting their cars. If they get fined, will I have negative karma?
Answer: If you will create negative karma for doing so, all parking attendants will...

Nov. 27 |
The very shortsighted
must learn to see
much further.
– Shilashanti
The Kukkuravatika Sutta records how Puṇṇa (of the Koliyans), an ox-duty ascetic, and Seniya the naked dog-duty ascetic learnt the error of their ways through the Buddha. Prior...

Nov. 27 |
People are first haunted by their inner demons, before they become ghosts haunting haunted places, who might in turn become others’ outer demons. Haunted by unresolved and deluded attachment and aversion, both in this life and from life to...

Nov. 8 |
There are four kinds of [karmic] actions
proclaimed by me,
after realising them for myself
with direct knowledge.
– Śākyamuni Buddha
(Kukkuravatika Sutta)
(As paraphrased and extended from the second half of the Kukkuravatika Sutta)
[1] There are dark...

Oct. 25 |
‘Jason Bourne’ recalls his once forgotten ‘past life’ within this life… He was kind of tricked, yet kind of volunteered to be ‘trained’ as a ruthless killer of many. This reminds us to be mindful when choosing...

Oct. 17 |
‘The Sea Of Trees’ (Jukai: 树海) is an alternative name of Japan’s ‘Suicide Forest’ (Aokigahara: 青木ヶ原), with its dense foliage that moves with swells and waves like the sea. Believed by many to be very easy to...

Sep. 20 |
Question: When a doctor heals a patient, does the doctor personally create negative karma, by not allowing the patient’s negative karma to ripen naturally?
Answer: No. As the doctor’s intention is to restore the patient’s well-being,...

Sep. 13 |
Spiritual cultivation is but the
actualisation of our pure potential
and deactivation of our defiled habits.
– Shilashanti
When we see those worse off, such as the very poor and sick, we usually genuinely wish that they be free from suffering, to be...

Sep. 13 |
Question: Why do good things happens to bad people, and bad things happen to good people?
Answer: The question has two wrong premises – that only good things happen to bad people, and that only bad things happen to good people. Of course, this cannot...

Aug. 29 |
Question: A relative recently got a job offer after months of unemployment. However, the company deals with supply of slaughtered animals. Is this alright?
Answer: It is not alright, as it is not ethical. The Buddha taught to avoid livelihoods that...